As humanity prepares for a sustained return to the Moon and future missions to Mars, new technologies are needed to support life and reduce dependence on Earth-supplied resources. Plasma reactors are a promising class of power-to-gas systems capable of converting local resources and recycled gases into vital consumables such as oxygen and fuel. These systems use electrical power to generate non-equilibrium plasmas, enabling efficient chemical reactions at lower temperatures than conventional thermal processes. Their rapid responsiveness and adaptability to intermittent power make them ideal for integration into semi-closed-loop life-support systems and off-world ISRU architectures.

One promising application of plasmas is for CO2 conversion. Carbon dioxide comprises 96% of the Martian atmosphere and is a byproduct of human respiration, which typically must be scrubbed and vented from space habitats.Plasma reactors can perform CO2 conversion to generate oxygen for life support and rocket propellant, as well a precursor to manufacture carbon-based products and fuels in situ, like methane, methanol, and polyethylene.